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Certified First Assistant Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

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Certified First Assistant information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a certified first assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Certified First Assistant, you need a solid background in surgical procedures, anatomy, and sterile techniques, usually supported by certification such as the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) or equivalent. Competence with surgical instruments, patient monitoring systems, and electronic health records is typically required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are standout soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure patient safety, effective teamwork, and optimal surgical outcomes.

What is a certified first assistant?

As a certified first assistant (CFA), also called a certified surgical first assistant (CSFA), your primary responsibilities are assisting the surgeon and nurses in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative procedures. Your job duties include prepping patients, dressing wounds, monitoring electronic medical equipment, performing minor surgical procedures, and providing care to patients before, during, and after procedures. You need experience as a surgical technician in addition to great communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to perform in high-pressure situations. You can find CSFA jobs in hospitals, private practices, outpatient surgery centers, and other health care settings with a surgical team.

What is a certified first assistant?

A Certified First Assistant (CFA), also known as a Surgical First Assistant, is a highly trained healthcare professional who assists surgeons during surgical procedures. They play a vital role in ensuring surgeries run smoothly by providing direct support, such as controlling bleeding, suturing incisions, and helping maintain a sterile environment. CFAs work closely with surgeons, nurses, and other operating room staff to enhance patient outcomes and safety. Certification typically requires specialized education, hands-on experience, and passing a national examination.

How long does it take to become a certified first assistant?

Becoming a certified first assistant typically requires completing a specialized training program that lasts several months, followed by gaining hands-on experience in surgical assisting. Certification through organizations like the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) or the National Surgical Assistant Association (NSAA) often requires passing an exam and accumulating a specified number of clinical hours, which can extend the process to one or two years depending on prior healthcare experience and training pace.

What are some common challenges faced by certified first assistants during surgical procedures?

Certified First Assistants often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing surgical situations, maintaining clear communication with the surgical team, and anticipating the needs of the surgeon. They must remain highly focused for extended periods and be prepared to respond quickly to unexpected complications. Collaboration, technical proficiency, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Certified First Assistant vs Surgical Technologist?

AspectCertified First AssistantSurgical Technologist
CredentialsCertified First Assistant (CFA) certification, often requires RN or physician assistant licensureCertified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification, usually requires completing a surgical tech program
Work EnvironmentAssist surgeons directly during surgeries, mainly in hospitals and surgical centersPrepare operating rooms, sterilize instruments, and assist during surgeries
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, surgical clinics, outpatient surgery centersHospitals, outpatient surgical centers, clinics

The Certified First Assistant works closely with surgeons during procedures, providing direct assistance, while Surgical Technologists prepare the operating room and support the surgical team. Both roles are vital in surgical settings but differ in responsibilities and required credentials.

More about Certified First Assistant jobs
What cities in Florida are hiring for Certified First Assistant jobs? Cities in Florida with the most Certified First Assistant job openings:
Certified First Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Certified First Assistant job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Certified First Assistant

Medical City Alliance

Gainesville, FL • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Certified First Assistant

Experience the HCA Healthcare difference where colleagues are trusted, valued members of our healthcare team. Grow your career with an organization committed to delivering respectful, compassionate care, and where the unique and intrinsic worth of each individual is recognized.

Full time flexible/mixed schedule, which may include days, evenings, weekends, holidays, and participation in an on-call rotation as needed to support departmental and patient care needs.

Seeking a Certified First Assistant for our practice who provides clinical expertise to ensure all patients receive high-quality, efficient care. We are an amazing team that works hard to support each other and are seeking a phenomenal addition like you who feels patient care is as meaningful as we do. We want you to apply now.

What you will do in this role:

  • Recognizes safety hazards and initiates appropriate corrective action.
  • Applies principles of asepsis and infection control skillfully.
  • Applies knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology and operative relative to operative procedures wherein the CFA assists.
  • Performs positioning, prepping and draping the patient.
  • Provides hemostasis by clamping blood vessels, coagulation bleeding pints, ligating vessels and by other means as directed by the surgeon.
  • Provides exposure through appropriate use of instruments, retractors, suctioning and sponging techniques.
  • Proficient in endovascular vein harvesting for revascularization. Supports the education of EVH in current CV surgery team.
  • Handles tissue as directed by the surgeon.
  • Performs wound closure as directed by the surgeon; sutures the peritoneum, fascia, subcutaneous tissue and skin.
  • Anticipates the surgeon's needs based on a knowledge and application of the surgical process and assists with retracting and suturing.
  • Assists with transferring the patient to and from the operating room.
  • Coordinates the OR schedule for the practice.
  • Responsible for orienting and mentoring new employees.
  • Demonstrates flexibility to work with all surgeons
  • Serves as a liaison between operating surgeons and OR for special needs for cases, i.e. equipment, new procedures, etc.
  • Must read and understand and adhere to all Physician Services policies and procedures.
  • Practices and adheres to the Code of Conduct and Mission and Values statements.

What Qualifications you will need:

  • Graduate from accredited surgical technology or assisting program
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience as a First Assistant preferred.
  • Current Certification as a CSFA through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting

HCA Florida Gainesville Surgical Group, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

  • Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
  • Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
  • Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
  • Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
  • Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
  • Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts

Supporting HCA Healthcare's 186 hospitals and 2,400+ sites of care, Physician Services plays a crucial role as the main entry point for patients looking for high-quality healthcare within the HCA Healthcare system. With a focus on meeting the needs of our patients at all access points, Physician Services is dedicated to implementing innovative, physician-driven, value-added solutions to assist physicians in providing high-quality, patient-centered care, aligning with our mission to care for and enhance human life.

HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times.  In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in costs for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.

"There is so much good to do in the world and so many different ways to do it." - Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder

If you find this opportunity compelling, we encourage you to apply for our Certified First Assistant opening. We promptly review all applications. Highly qualified candidates will be directly contacted by a member of our team. We are interviewing - apply today!

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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